The View

GSU welcomes the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic ensemble for “Mardi Gras Carnival” March 1 at the Center for Performing Arts, for a celebration of food and music that gives New Orleans its distinct character.

The event begins with a pre-show party at 6:30 p.m. with a New Orleans-style buffet. The concert begins at 8 p.m. and features the rich musical culture of New Orleans. The ensemble brings the sounds of the world’s most famous street festival to life with jazz, blues, brass bands, Mardi Gras Indian melodies and more.

The ensemble is under the direction of Orbert Davis, co-founder, conductor and artistic director of Chicago Jazz Philharmonic – a 55-piece jazz-style symphonic orchestra. Davis is one of Chicago’s most sought-after musicians. He won an Emmy Award for a composition and production of an original score for the PBS documentary, “DuSable to Obama: Chicago’s Black Metropolis.”